Women-Led SMEs Boost Bangladesh’s Poultry Sector

The expansion of women-led SMEs is strengthening Bangladesh’s poultry industry by boosting employment, production, and market competitiveness. On International Women's Day 2025, the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC) and the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) highlighted the need to support women entrepreneurs and ensure adequate nutrition for their sustained contributions.

Maize cultivation in Bangladesh has surged, reaching a record 6.72 lakh hectares in FY 2024-25, up from 6.42 lakh hectares in FY 2023-24. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) set a production target of 69.78 lakh tonnes for FY 2024-25, while the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated output to reach 52 lakh tonnes.

Shrimp exports in Bangladesh have halved over the past seven years, forcing many processing units to shut down. Out of 109 registered factories, only 48 remain operational—30 in Khulna and 18 in Chattogram—due to a severe raw material shortage, with factories receiving just 7% of their required shrimp input.

The government's Aman paddy procurement has reached only 8.75% of its 3.5 lakh-tonne target, despite a Tk3 per kg price hike, as farmers prefer selling in the open market due to better prices and fewer hassles. So far, 26,277 tonnes of paddy, 430,206 tonnes of rice, and 77,000 tonnes of Atap rice have been collected, with Atap rice procurement continuing until 15 March.

Marine fish harvest in Bangladesh declined for the second consecutive year, with catches from the Bay of Bengal falling to 628,622 tonnes in FY 2023-24, the lowest in nine years, marking a 13% year-on-year drop, according to the Department of Fisheries (DoF).

Loan disbursements to the CMSME sector dropped by 16% in the July-September quarter of FY25, falling to Tk 44,202 crore from Tk 52,654 crore in FY24, as per Bangladesh Bank data. Political instability, including protests and government unrest, contributed to the decline by dampening business confidence and investment.